Dolphins Report

NFL report

September 9, 1997|By Craig Barnes, Miami Bureau

THE GOOD NEWS: The Miami Dolphins can thank their defense and special teams for Sunday's victory. The defense held Eddie George to 106 yards in 23 carries and a 13-yard touchdown. It doesn't sound like much, but George rushed for 216 yards in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders. The defense also came up with several big plays in the fourth quarter.

BAD NEWS: The offense continues to sputter despite QB Dan Marino's 324-yard passing game. It's obvious the team is seeking an offensive identity, and against the Oilers, it ranged from futile attempts to establish the run to using the ''no huddle'' Shotgun and short passing game to neutralize the Oilers' blitzing style of defense.

THE REST OF THE STORY: The Dolphins have won their first two games for the fourth straight year and 13th time in their history. . . . The Dolphins are 10-14-1 in overtime games. . . . It was Marino's 33rd fourth-quarter comeback, second only to John Elway's 41, and the victory was his 125th, second to Elway's 128.